I have a game in development and I want to give it a name. I've been working on it for a couple of months and unfortunately I am unable to come up with any name for it. I'm sick of referring to it as "my game" or "the game."

I found out about this website last week at the Game Developer Conference (sorry, I know I should have known about it sooner). I was down in San Francisco and I saw Eli Hodapp' session on how to put your game on the map. The talk had great info, and it painted an accurate picture (if a little grim) on how to improve the chances of success for your game. Apparently, according to the stats it's more likely that I'll be struck by lighting than it is for my game to be successful in the mobile market.

But that's OK with me. I was more or less aware of the facts before I took on this project. The game is more a product of my passion than it is a product of careful planning on how to be a millionaire.

So on that note, I thought I'd reach out here and ask for help. Maybe someone out there has a spark of creativity and can help me find a satisfying name for this game. The fundamental idea behind it, is to allow players to interact with the terrain on a map in the same way players interact with jewels in Bejeweled. All sorts of activities take place on the map... although most of them revolve around the Main Character running away from danger. The player does not control the main character directly, but it controls the terrain. Think of the main character being Aladdin and the player being the Genie. Something along those lines... although maybe the theme will be different... Can't decide yet.

A screenshot would significantly help us choose a name for your game. It sounds interesting.

Thanks for the quick reply dariusjr98. Yeah I thought about posting a screenshot, but the prototype I have is using placeholder graphics (taken from google). So I don't feel it's representative of the game, and it may turn people off - especially people that are not familiar with the development process. Generally people want to see cool stuff, and when they see work in progress, if it's not cool enough they lose interest. However, I'll try to see what I can do and get you some art soon.

I also have trouble with the theme. Part of me wants to place the game in an Arabian Nights setting (sort of like Prince of Persia/Aladdin/Sinbad). I envisioned the levels to take the player across many settings from desert cities to ice castles, jungles, ocean, and aboveground. The hero would be a person, and use multiple transportation methods such as ships, magic carpets, elephants etc.

On the other hand, the artist who is helping me with the game feels pretty strongly that the theme should be more on the "cute" side of things like other popular mobile games. In this theme, the hero would be a cute pigeon, with other cute frogs, cats etc as supporting cast. I can't help but feel that he is right in the sense that we are more likely to be noticed if we stick to a more cute casual setting.

The setting will most likely influence the title as well. Any input on this?

I also have trouble with the theme. Part of me wants to place the game in an Arabian Nights setting (sort of like Prince of Persia/Aladdin/Sinbad). I envisioned the levels to take the player across many settings from desert cities to ice castles, jungles, ocean, and aboveground. The hero would be a person, and use multiple transportation methods such as ships, magic carpets, elephants etc.

The setting will most likely influence the title as well. Any input on this?

@KennyK. "___ Hero". It could work with both themes. However, it's a bit generic I think.

@m44 I like how "Shifting Sands" sounds. I get what you are saying about the look of the word. I haven't considered that before, but you are right that it's not a very good looking word. "Dune Shaper" doesn't really have the same ring to it. However, the game will take place over more than 1 location (not just dunes).

@Exact-Psience I looked "Le Vamp" up. Looks like a cool game. And I can see why you'd associate the two games. Thanks for pointing that out. The game I'm working on, is top down. Picture the hero walking on a Bejeweled board, while you are playing bejeweled. However, instead of gems, you are shifting tectonic plates.

@ThisIsAUsername: I like the "uncute" idea as well. I'll talk to the artist to see what we can come up with. Just like all WIP, it may evolve to have components from both, and become something else in the process. The gameplay is solid though. I can see that expanding, but not changing radically. However, the theme is a different question.

I'm going to share with you guys some art in the coming days... to collect some feedback.

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